*Mark 9:38-50
Jesus teaches his disciples to welcome those who do good in his name and warns against leading others astray.
- Welcoming Others in Jesus’ Name
- John, one of Jesus’ disciples, reports seeing someone driving out demons in Jesus’ name, but he and the others tried to stop him because he was not following them.
- Jesus rebukes them, stating that anyone who performs a miracle in his name cannot speak evil of him, indicating that such actions are evidence of faith.
- He emphasizes that whoever is not against them is for them, highlighting the inclusivity of those who do good in his name.
- Warning Against Causing Others to Stumble
- Jesus delivers a stern warning against causing “little ones” who believe in him to stumble, comparing it to a severe punishment such as drowning with a millstone tied around one’s neck.
- He underscores the gravity of avoiding sin, even if it means drastic measures like cutting off a hand or foot or gouging out an eye to enter life without being maimed.
- Jesus vividly describes Gehenna, a place of unquenchable fire, as the fate of those who succumb to sin, highlighting the eternal consequences of leading others astray.
- Salt and Peace
- Jesus encourages saltiness among his followers, symbolizing their purity and preservation of righteousness in the world.
- He urges them to live at peace with one another, emphasizing the importance of unity and harmony among believers.
9:38 And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
9:39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
9:40 For he that is not against us is on our part.
9:41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
9:42 And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
9:43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 9:44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
9:45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 9:46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
9:47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: 9:48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
9:49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.
9:50 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.